Difference between revisions of "Sam Moskowitz"

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In 1938, after leading the [[First National SF Convention]] in [[Newark, NJ]], he organized [[New Fandom]], while at the same time [[Donald A. Wollheim]] and others were organizing the [[Futurians]].  The Futurians' [[Marxism]] conflicted with [[Moskowitz]]'s focus on [[sf]] and fandom and at age 19, when he became [[chairman]] of the [[First Worldcon]] held in New York City in 1939, he barred several Futurians from the convention because they threatened to disrupt it, an event usually called the [[Exclusion Act]].
 
In 1938, after leading the [[First National SF Convention]] in [[Newark, NJ]], he organized [[New Fandom]], while at the same time [[Donald A. Wollheim]] and others were organizing the [[Futurians]].  The Futurians' [[Marxism]] conflicted with [[Moskowitz]]'s focus on [[sf]] and fandom and at age 19, when he became [[chairman]] of the [[First Worldcon]] held in New York City in 1939, he barred several Futurians from the convention because they threatened to disrupt it, an event usually called the [[Exclusion Act]].
  
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His most popular work is undoubtedly ''[[The Immortal Storm]]'', a historical review of internecine warfare within [[fandom]] in the 1930s. It was written with so much over-the-top seriousness that, as fellow [[fan historian]] [[Harry Warner, Jr.]] said, "If read directly after a history of [[World War II]], it does not seem like an anticlimax." In spite of that, it remains the ''essential'' records of the invention of fandom.
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His most popular work is undoubtedly ''[[The Immortal Storm]]'', a historical review of internecine warfare within [[fandom]] in the 1930s. It was written with so much over-the-top seriousness that, as fellow [[fan historian]] [[Harry Warner, Jr.]] said, "If read directly after a history of [[World War II]], it does not seem like an anticlimax." In spite of that, it remains the ''essential'' record of the invention of fandom.
  
 
He was Mystery Guest at the [[Clevention]] in 1955.  The Mystery Guest was one of the [[GoHs]], but the identity was not announced in advance of the convention. Moskowitz was not informed in advance, either, and many people feel that this was a sort of second-rate [[Worldcon]] GoHship which was surely less than his due.
 
He was Mystery Guest at the [[Clevention]] in 1955.  The Mystery Guest was one of the [[GoHs]], but the identity was not announced in advance of the convention. Moskowitz was not informed in advance, either, and many people feel that this was a sort of second-rate [[Worldcon]] GoHship which was surely less than his due.

Revision as of 15:25, 22 July 2021

(June 30, 1920 – April 15, 1997)

Samuel Moskowitz, aka SaM, was one of the creators of fandom, a member of First Fandom, chairman of the first Worldcon, writer, critic, book and fanzine collector, and historian of the field. Physically, he was large man -- one friend described him as "physically massive" -- with a booming voice.

Fan[edit]

He found fandom as a teenager in 1936 and began published the fanzine Helios in June 1937. He also organized a branch of the Science Fiction League

In 1938, after leading the First National SF Convention in Newark, NJ, he organized New Fandom, while at the same time Donald A. Wollheim and others were organizing the Futurians. The Futurians' Marxism conflicted with Moskowitz's focus on sf and fandom and at age 19, when he became chairman of the First Worldcon held in New York City in 1939, he barred several Futurians from the convention because they threatened to disrupt it, an event usually called the Exclusion Act.

His most popular work is undoubtedly The Immortal Storm, a historical review of internecine warfare within fandom in the 1930s. It was written with so much over-the-top seriousness that, as fellow fan historian Harry Warner, Jr. said, "If read directly after a history of World War II, it does not seem like an anticlimax." In spite of that, it remains the essential record of the invention of fandom.

He was Mystery Guest at the Clevention in 1955. The Mystery Guest was one of the GoHs, but the identity was not announced in advance of the convention. Moskowitz was not informed in advance, either, and many people feel that this was a sort of second-rate Worldcon GoHship which was surely less than his due.

He was the founder of ESFA. He co-chaired Metrocon 1 and was an adviser to the Silvercon committee.

Pro[edit]

Starting in 1953 Moskowitz edited Science-Fiction Plus, a prozine owned by Hugo Gernsback. In the 60s and 70s he edited two dozen anthologies, and a few single-author collections, but his most enduring work is likely to be his writing on the history of science fiction, in particular two collections of short author biographies, Explorers of the Infinite and Seekers of Tomorrow, as well as Under the Moons of Mars: A History and Anthology of "The Scientific Romance" in the Munsey Magazines.

Personal Life[edit]

He was married to fellow fan Dr. Christine Haycock (Chris Moskowitz). SaM’s siblings Pearl, Morris and Herman "Harry" Moskowitz attended the first Worldcon, possibly only in support of their brother, as we’ve so far found no evidence of their continuing fanac.

In mundane life, Sam was for many years editor of the trade publications Quick Frozen Foods and Quick Frozen Foods International.

More[edit]

SaM wrote reminiscences of several Worldcons for the Noreascon Three PB:

Fanzines and Apazines:

Awards, Honors and GoHships:

Person 1920—1997
This is a biography page. Please extend it by adding more information about the person, such as fanzines and apazines published, awards, clubs, conventions worked on, GoHships, impact on fandom, external links, anecdotes, etc. See Standards for People and The Naming of Names.

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